International
China confirms “provisional agreement” with the Philippines to “de-escalate” maritime tensions
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China confirmed on Monday that it reached a “provisional agreement” with the Philippines to “de-escalate” the tensions around an atoll in the South China Sea that both countries claim and where violent ship collisions have occurred in recent months.
According to a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, both parties agreed to “jointly manage the differences on maritime issues and work for de-escalation” in this region, after reaching an understanding around the “humanitarian resupply of life supplies” of the Philippine contingent located in the Second Thomas atoll.
The agreement was reached after a meeting held by representatives of both countries on July 2, which led to more consultations and the establishment of a direct line of communication between the Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.
One of the main points of friction between the two parties is related to the old Philippine ship Sierra Madre, straned with a military garrison in the Second Thomas since 1999 to claim the sovereignty of the atoll.
“We continue to demand that the Philippines tow the ship (Sierra Madre) and restore the state of Ren’ai Jiao (Second Thomas) from not housing personnel or facilities,” the Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesman said in a statement published in the early hours of Monday.
If the Philippines needs to send life supplies to the ship’s personnel, China is willing to allow it with a “humanitarian spirit,” as long as Manila informs Beijing in advance and after an “on-site verification” has been carried out, according to the official text.
In the event that the Philippines sends “a large amount” of construction materials to the warship, or tries to build fixed facilities or a permanent post, “China will not accept it at all and will resolutely stop it in accordance with the law,” stressed the Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesman.
“China has sovereignty over Ren’ai Jiao and the rest of the Nansha Qundao (Spratly islands), as well as its adjacent waters,” the spokesman said.
The Philippines and China maintain a growing sovereignty dispute in the South China Sea, where in recent months clashes between ships from both countries have multiplied.
In addition to the Second Thomas atoll, Manila and Beijing are disputed for sovereignty over the Scarborough reef, near the Philippine island of Luzon, and several islands of the Spratly archipelago, where Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan also hold claims.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have increased since Marcos Jr. came to power in 2022, who has strengthened his military alliance with the United States and expanded access to its bases to US troops, including some of strategic access to the China Sea or the self-governed island of Taiwan.
International
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
The Ukrainian government on Wednesday declared a nationwide energy state of emergency amid continued Russian military attacks and extreme winter weather, with nighttime temperatures dropping as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius.
“The consequences of Russian attacks and worsening weather conditions are severe (…) Overall, a state of emergency will be declared for Ukraine’s energy sector,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement posted on social media following a meeting with senior officials.
Zelensky announced the creation of a “permanent coordination headquarters” to manage the crisis in the capital, Kyiv, and tasked former defence minister and current energy chief Denys Shmyhal with overseeing support efforts for affected individuals and communities, including addressing power outages, heating shortages and other “practical issues.”
“There are many problems that require urgent solutions,” the president said, noting that repair crews, energy companies, municipal services and the State Emergency Service are working “around the clock” to restore electricity supplies. Kyiv has been particularly affected after Russian strikes last Friday disabled key parts of the power grid, as daytime temperatures hover around minus 12 degrees Celsius and plunge to minus 18 at night.
Zelensky added that public authorities will “maximize efforts with partners to obtain the necessary equipment and additional support,” while the government will ensure “maximum deregulation of all processes” to speed up the connection of backup power equipment to the grid. He also confirmed that work is underway to significantly increase electricity imports into Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader further instructed his Cabinet to review curfew regulations in light of the extreme cold, arguing that citizens must have the greatest possible access to assistance centers, while businesses should be given flexibility to plan their operations according to the state of the energy system.
International
France joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed in the early hours of Thursday (Wednesday afternoon in El Salvador) that France will take part in “Operation Arctic Resistance,” after Denmark announced it would expand its military presence in Greenland amid rising tensions with the United States over Washington’s stated ambitions regarding the semi-autonomous territory.
“At Denmark’s request, I have decided that France will participate in the joint exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland, ‘Operation Arctic Resistance,’” Macron said in a brief message posted on social media at 5:18 p.m.
The French president added that “the first French military elements are already on their way, with others to follow,” though he did not specify the number of troops being deployed or the scale of France’s planned contribution.
The governments of Sweden, Norway and Germany have also confirmed the deployment of military contingents to Greenland. Germany’s armed forces will send a 13-member reconnaissance team to the Greenlandic capital, Nuuk, to take part in a mission scheduled to run from Thursday through Saturday, according to the German Ministry of Defence.
Denmark’s announcement came shortly before a Danish delegation met at the White House with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss Washington’s plans regarding Greenland. Copenhagen said the military activities would be carried out “in close cooperation with NATO allies.”
International
Iran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
Iranian authorities closed the country’s airspace in the early hours of Thursday, according to data from flight-tracking website FlightRadar24, amid growing threats of a possible U.S. attack as protests across the country continue and have reportedly left thousands dead.
According to FlightRadar24, the Iranian government suspended all flights to and from the country, except for international flights that have received special authorization. The notice was initially issued for a duration of just over two hours.
The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump in recent days threatened to strike Iran if its security forces failed to halt the deaths linked to weeks-long protests that began in Tehran and later spread to other Iranian cities. Despite the threats, the White House said diplomacy remains Trump’s preferred option.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump claimed that “the deaths in Iran have stopped” and said there would be no executions of protesters following his warnings to Tehran. He added that his administration would seek to verify those claims.
“I’ve been told the deaths in Iran are stopping. They’ve stopped, and that there are no plans for executions,” Trump told reporters, cautioning that the United States would be “very upset” if those assurances proved to be untrue.
The statements contrast with reports from rights groups. The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) said on Wednesday that more than 3,400 people have been killed since the protests erupted. Meanwhile, Kurdish-Iranian rights group Hengaw reported this week that a 26-year-old Iranian man, Erfan Soltani, was facing execution as of Wednesday.
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
France joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
Iran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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